LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . .
Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)

Gathered at a Class Reunion, a male classmate confided to a female classmate, "Back when we were in school, I had a crush on you."

Although the female already knew about this, she acted surprised.

Seriously "rapping" to her, he said, "If I had known then what I know now, Sweetie, I could have made you my girl."

Get the point?

Far too many of us live with similar if-I-had-known sentiments. Lack of knowledge is indeed a serious cause of stress. What we don't know can haunt us indefinitely, and ultimately, escalate our stresses.

People can claim "what we don't know won't hurt us" as much as they please, but it is not true. A great percentage of all our stresses stem from something we didn't know. Unexpected surprises have a way of stressing us in the twinkling of an eye.

Remember that old saying "Knowledge is key?" It's absolutely true! We need knowledge to have . . . to be . . . and to do all things . . . especially if we intend to reduce stress.



Peace I leave with you . . .

PRETEND

"I don't pretend." Ever heard anyone say that? Have we ever said that?

While pretending is often discouraged, it's proven to provide benefits and blessings.

Pretending is highly recommended for reducing stress.


In her timeless classic, "The Little Princess," Frances Hodgson Burnett's delightful Litte Sara was thrust into an unfortunate situation.

Instead of dwelling on how her life had dwindled from riches to rags, Sara took another approach. In the midst of her terrible circumstances, she pretended.

Realizing everything--and so much more-- that she'd pretended had mysteriously manifested before her eyes, The Little Princess happily declared, "I never pretended this good before!"

We, too, might be surprised what "good" pretending will do. Even if what we pretend never surfaces for us, we'll benefit from de-stressing our mind.

"I can't!" Some folk insist. "I just can't pretend."

Ma'am? Sir? With all due respect, there are times when it pays to pretend. Sometimes we are so pressed and depressed, struggling through stresses, that we're grateful for an opportunity to pretend.

One primary effort linked to our pretending is simply to "believe." See, that's the whole idea; hoping and believing. Don't stress over the fact that it's pretense. Relax and release those stresses.

It may sound a little silly, but seriously, pretending has its advantages. Let's think of it as a prelude to prayer. After all, If we can CONCEIVE IT, we can RECEIVE IT!

Peace I leave with you . . .

FAITH

Now faith

is the substance

of things hoped for,

the evidence of

things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

Peace I leave with you . . .

SEASONS

And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 (KJV)